Blasting assembly



DeC. 15 1959 WELSH, JR 2,916,992

BLASTING ASSEMBLY Filed June 11. 1956 I INVENTOZ mow/P0 waJ/e Je gwxww United States Patent BLASTING ASSEMBLY Richard F. Welsh, Jr., ,Martinsburg, W. Va., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application Junell, 1956, Serial No. 590,666 4 Claims. (Cl. 102-22 The present invention relates to an explosive package particularly adapted for use in inaccessible locations. More particularly the present invention relates to an explosive package which may be placed at an inaccessible location by means of a long pole.

Certain methods of low cost mining are based on the principle that broken rock or ore willflow by gravity down inclined passages or chutes hollowed out of virgin rock. By this method, ore can be transferred cheaply from the source area to another where it is loaded, either directly or indirectly, into mine cars. It is important in such an operation that the maximum size of the parti cles to be transferred be small enough relative to the minimumdimension of the passage so that the chunks of rock or ore will flow freely. Despite the fact that such factors are taken into account in the design of these passageways, they frequently do become blocked and cease to function. On occasion, rock jams will occur which bridge thepassageand clo'g ih' Sometimes,- chunks of ore or rock, which are too large to enter the opening, become lodged in the mouth of the passageway. When any of these conditions occur, it is necessary to remove the obstruction by blasting.

For many years the practice to relieve such obstructions was for the shot firer to make a hazardous approach to the jam from below in order to secure an explosive charge in the proper position adjacent thereto. This charge, when detonated, broke up the constriction and permitted the mining operation to continue. This was obviously a dangerous practice since the safety of the operator during his ascent depended upon the jam holding fast.

In more recent times the practice has been for the operator to tie an explosive charge to a long pole, insert the initiating means, i.e., a blasting cap or a length of detonating fuse into the explosive charge, and wedge the pole in such position that the charge is properly located near the jam. Since this technique does not require the operator to remain under the rock jam for an extended period, it is a good deal safer. The tying operation, however, is time consuming and inconvenient, and considerable skill is required to tie the explosive charge or charges in such a manner that they do not become dislodged while the pole is being maneuvered into the desired position.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is'to provide an explosive package adapted for rapid and simple mounting on a pole. An additional object of the invention is the provision of an explosive package of this type which is inexpensive, convenient, and safe to use. Other objects will become apparent as this invention is more fully described.

I have found that my objects may be achieved when I provide a box-like container with suitable flap members to retain a long pole in position so that the box, when filled with an explosive composition, may be elevated to a lofty position and disposed next to a rock jam or similar constriction. To more fully describe the infolded, 6,65 and 7, 7 will comprise the. four sides of 2,916,992 Patented Dec. 15, 1959 er ce vention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a plan view of a sheet of cardboard or similar material suitably cut in accordance with the present invention for subsequent folding and assembly into a box;

Figure 2 represents the sheet of Figure 1 folded and assembled into the top section of a box for use in the present invention, the section being inverted for purposes of illustration;

Figure 3 represents the sheet of Figure 1 folded and assembled into the bottom section of a box for use in the present invention;

Figure 4 represents an elevational view of a complete box (including assembled top and bottom sections) which may be used in the present invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a bottom-end view of the box of Figure 4 with the pole in position;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures, Figure 1 represents -a sheet of cardboard, .fibreboard, corrugated cardboard, or other suitable material which has been appropriately cut for subsequent folding and assembly into a box. In Figure l, l, 1' and 2, 2' represent end panels which are formed by suitable inward slotting from the end of the sheet. Lines 3, 4, and S'represent the lines along which the sheet will ultimately be folded for assembly into a box. When eitherthetop or bottom section of the box, as'illustrated especially in Figures 2 and 3. Panel 8 represents a this which I call a retainer flap for reasons that will be apparent.

, The sheet of Figure 1 when folded and assembled is used for forming both the top and bottom sections of the box, which are telescopingly assembled one over the other as depicted in Figure 4. Whether used for top or bottom section, the sheet of Figure l is always the same except that for bottom sections it will be slightly smaller in size than for top sections so that the two sections may telescope one over the other. When folded and assembled, the flap 8 on top sections is positioned inside of side panel 7, and for bottom sections is positioned outside of side panel 7'. When the top and bottom sections are telescopingly assembled, they are always assembled such that the two flap members 8, 8 are always arranged on the same side of the box, as illustrated in Figure 5. The retainer flaps 8 are of such dimension that when the top and bottom sections are assembled there is a space 9 between the edges of the retainer flaps. This space is wide enough for reception and retention of a pole member 10 which is shown in position in Figure 6.

In use, the bottom section of the box, shown in Figure 3, would be loaded with a suitable blasting agent or explosive composition, such as dynamite or the like. A blasting cap, or other detonator, would be provided when necessary. The top section is telescoped over the bottom section and the pole 10 is inserted between the sides 7, 7 of the top and bottom sections where it is retained against lateral movement by the presence of flaps 8, 8. The assembly is then elevated into position adjacented the rock jam, and exploded.

In Figure 7 there is disclosed an alternate embodiment of my invention wherein a complete box 12 is provided with but a single retainer flap 8a on the outside, and an auxiliary jacket 11 formed from the sheet of Figure l (with suitable dimensions) is also provided with a single internal retainer flap 8a. The jacket 11 is telescopingly assembled over the box 12 and the space between the side of the box and the side of the jacket provides a The material from which thebox'is formed isnota critical feature of the present invention. .Any rigidorsemi-rigid material-which will-not easily. tear or fracture under the conditions of use is suitable; Inthemormah case, ordinary fibreboard or corrugatedcardboard would probably be used for economic reasons, though. wood: and other materials, cellulosic orotherwise awoperative.

The top and bottom sections of the box and the .jacket.

11 of Figure 7, respectively, may be securedin individual,

folded formation by any conveniennmeansas, 01..6X1 ample, staple stitching, adhesives, or. adhesive. tapes. When assembled, the top and bottomeseetions. of. the.

box, or the jacket and box may beentirely, coextensive.

in. length, or the top sectionror. jacket may be somewhat shorter in length than the bottom: sectionofrthe box,.so;

long as it is long enough to securely hold-the. position: ing pole when the latter is in position.

It will'be readily apparent from the foregoingthattthe. assembly of the present invention is a cheap, safe,.efl ective blasting assembly that my be easily and securely. loaded on the end of a long pole, whichmaybe in any. convenient form, such as a long branch or sapling ,found. in the .area.

The invention has been clearly disclosed'in thelforegoing specification. It will be expressly understood, however, that many variations in the details of construction, materials, assembly, and dimensions of parts may. be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. I intendto be limited, therefore, the following claims:

I'claim:

1. A blasting" assembly comprisinga closed? container having a: blasting 'agent therein, said container havingat only by 4- least'two telescoping sections formed'from' folded blanks of a relatively stiflE cellulosic materiahone of said.sec= tions being an outer top section having an inside retainer flap lying against one of its walls and the second of said sections being an inner bottom section having an outside retainer fiap lying against one of its walls, said two sections being telescopingly assembled such that the retainer flap on the inside of the top section and the retainer flap on the outside ofthetbottom section areidisposed on the same side of the assembled container and are spaced apart by a distancelarge enough to receive'an' elongated'mole. 2. Anassembly as in claim lhaving apole wedged in between two flush faces of 'the said" two telescoping sections andiheld in the. space/between :the-Lsaid twometainer 3. A blasting assembly comprising a closed box contaming a blasting agent, said box having telescoping outer top and inner bottom sections formed from folded blanks of..a relatively stitf cellulosic material, the topsectionxhavinganinside retainerfiap lying against one of its walls and the bottom. section havingran outside. retainer flap lying against one-of itswalls, said top and bottom. sections being telescopingly assembled such thattheretainer. flap on the inside of'the top section and theretainer flap on thetoutsideof the bottom section are disposed on the same-side of t the assembled boxand: are spaced .apart by. a.distance large enough to receivean elongated pole.-

4; Anassembly as inclaiml3lhavinga pole wedged in betweentwoflush faces of.the said top. and; bottonrsec tionsand held in.the space betweenasaid two retainer flaps.

ReferenceszCitedrin: :the filrof'sthis: patent 1 UNITED STATES "PATENTS' 585,805 1 VVilhelIIll'w July 6, 1897 1,600,940. Hennen ,..Sept;21; 1926 2,426,911. Williamson;-- ..Sept;. 2, .1947 

